Our Model: Our Enterprise

We are working to understand, test and implement alternative economic structures and entrepreneurial models. In fact, our boat building approach is the beginning of that practical investigation. What does proper compensation look like? What is a good wage as we transition into more sustainable economic structures? How do we redefine wealth all together? What are the systems we need to transition to, as lead by indigenous women and women of color? How do we circumvent outdated forms of intellectual property without turning private, sacred knowledge into an all-access-multi-culti soup and falling back into a capitalistic trope? How do we properly remunerate our elders (and their communities) for what is generally communal knowledge? Yes, we are thinking about all this. But we’ve garnered enough courage to act (by thinking&doing vs. just thinking) and we hope you are patient enough to see us through.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

Economic sustainability is at the heart of all liberation movements. Baladé Black wants to help build radical social and economic structures organized around the concept of purpose, co-lead by the most marginalized, and rooted in the remembering/recovery of indigenous knowledge. So, keep reading to see what happens to the money you spend with us...

ONE: SUPPORT AND SEED RADICAL ORGANIZATIONS & ENTERPRISES

We want to provide seed funds and strategic guidance to radical organizations and enterprises that don’t traditionally get noticed or supported. We want to help the most marginalized build their radical organizations and enterprises (read more through “Build Your Boat” - coming soon). Note: Baladé Black is a radical enterprise, and therefore will also be funded and supported through its own efforts and services. Our model will be clarified as it evolves.

TWO: SUPPORT AND SEED ELDERS / INDIGENOUS PRACTITIONERS

The recovery of indigenous and ancestral knowledge starts only with the social and economic support of our most marginalized elder practitioners who have learned, preserved, redefined and passed-on their work as a way of life. For this reason:

We help elder practitioners build radical enterprises and ensure proper compensation for their services

We work to ensure that their knowledge is shared ethically

We highlight their central and leadership positions in the movements towards just and sustainable social structures

THREE: SUPPORT RADICAL SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

We want to provide support to social movements that complement our mission and vision. A part of our funds will be dedicated to radical organizations and community efforts in pursuit of justice, particularly those that utilize purpose-driven systems, promote and preserve indigenous knowledge and work to empower our most marginalized.